We’ll be making the Sleepover Pajamas pattern together in this class. You can choose the simpler unisex (View A) or tackle the slightly more challenging and time-consuming (View B) with ruffle (for girls). If you come to class with your fabric already cut out you’ll have more time to sew, but at the beginning of class I’ll also do a demonstration on lengthening and shortening a pattern for those of you who want to wait and learn how to alter the pattern before you cut. Either way, we’ll have plenty of time to sew together, to answer your questions, and to demonstrate some tips and techniques that will help you to improve your sewing skills and knowledge.
During the class I’ll demonstrate many of the sewing steps and will be available for individual assistance as you sew. I’ll give the demonstrations on pattern alterations (lengthening and shortening, specifically), fabric selection, and anything else you want to know.
You probably won’t have enough time to finish the project in class, but you’ll leave feeling prepared to finish it at home afterwards. You’ll also leave with a greater level of sewing confidence and the skills to tackle some new challenges.
Skill Level
Advanced beginner. Some previous sewing experience necessary.
Material List
- sleepover pajamas pattern in the appropriate size range (6 months-size 4 or sizes 5-12) available on the Oliver + S website as well as at many retailers. (If students let me know in advance, I can also bring copies along for sale at the workshop.)
- two coordinating light- to medium-weight woven fabrics (see pattern envelope back for yardage information)
- coordinating thread
- buttons (see envelope back for details)
- 1 yard of 3/4” elastic
- lightweight fusible interfacing
- any special trims or materials you would like to use
- basic sewing tools: scissors, pins, rotary cutter and mat (if desired), ruler, chalk, etc.
No Material Fee
Liesl Gibson
When Oliver +S founder, Liesl Gibson, began searching for clothing patterns for her new daughter she was disappointed by the lack of contemporary design and the outdated fit specifications she encountered across the market. Ultimately, she began creating her own patterns. “The potential for sewing unique and wonderful children’s clothing is limitless,” says Gibson. “But I couldn’t find patterns that inspired me to sew. So I created my own.”
Launched in spring 2008 with four styles for little girls, Oliver + S refreshed a product category that had been dormant for over a decade. Mothers and grandmothers immediately responded by snapping up the new patterns and starting to sew again for their daughters and granddaughters. Responding to customers’ requests, Gibson debuted her first patterns for boys in the fall of 2008. Oliver + S continues releasing two new collections of patterns for girls and boys up to age 12 each year.
A native of Wisconsin, Gibson grew up around the sewing machine. Both her mother and grandmother are accomplished seamstresses and practitioners of needle arts, and her mother sewed much of Gibson’s clothing when she was young. After working in publishing and finance early in her career, Gibson returned to school and earned a degree in fashion design from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Before having her daughter in 2005, she worked as a designer for such high-profile fashion brands as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.
In addition to her Oliver + S patterns, Gibson designs two collections of Oliver + S fabric for Moda each year. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and trade shows and is in high demand as a teacher. In 2010, Gibson received the FabShop Network’s Rising Star award, an honor bestowed by independent fabric store owners across North America.
Gibson’s first book, Oliver + S Little Things to Sew: 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children, was published by STC Craft — Melanie Falick Books in 2011. The book brings the same style and attention to detail customers expect from Oliver + S apparel patterns to accessory and toy projects.
Gibson also designs the Lisette brand of sewing patterns and fabric for women’s apparel (www.sewlisette.com). Lisette patterns are produced and distributed worldwide by the Simplicity Creative Group. Lisette fabrics are produced by Fabric Traditions and are available at all Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® in the United States.
For the latest Oliver + S news and events, see the company’s blog: www.oliverands.com/blog.
Contact
http://www.oliverands.com/
liesl@lieslandco.com
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